TV Gal Goes to 'Prison'

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Amy AmatangeloZap2It.com

It occurred to me the other day that "Prison Break" could end with, you know, everybody dying. After all, death becomes this show.

Sure, "24" started the trend of no one is safe (opening credits be dammed), but "Prison Break" has taken it to a whole other level. Seriously, if I were on this series I would be saving my money and not making any big purchases. It's made for very exciting television amidst an uneven second season of the FOX drama. "Prison Break" has its fall finale this Monday at 8 p.m. and will return with brand new episodes on Jan. 29.

Frankly, with plot holes the size of Cleveland (do you love how everyone happens to be reading a newspaper when one of the escapees is nearby?), I'm not sure the show can or should continue for a third season. I'm already a little tired of it all. There's a lot I've liked this season -- in particular Michael's realization that his ends aren't justifying his means and that too many have died because he wanted his brother to be free. I also love the evolution of Sara's character, and I'm even on board that Mahone is on a one man mission of total annihilation.

But the show already seems to be running in place at times with several storylines that seem like filler (I like Wade Williams, but I think we could have done without the Bellick subplot). I'm not sure it has that much life left in it. How about you? Do you think there could be a season three of "Prison Break"? Are you still watching the show this season? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"My father didn't believe in making promises, which was tough for him, because they were free." Chris on "Everybody Hates Chris."

"Where have you been?" Reba to Kyra on the season premiere of "Reba." The episode marked Scarlett Pomers' return to the series.

"In a way it was impulsive, in other ways it's been 20 years in the making." Lorelai to Rory about her marriage to Christopher on "Gilmore Girls." Hmmm . .. who are they trying to convince?

"The sheriff is an idiot. I've met smarter sandwiches." Dean O'Dell to Keith on "Veronica Mars." Thanks to Bob for being the first to submit this very popular quote.

"You know who I am and you're constantly expecting me to change." Logan to Veronica on "Veronica Mars." Their relationship is stressing me out.

"Please don't be a stranger. I don't want you to feel like every time you come over here you have to nail something. I said that wrong, didn't I?" Nora to David on "Brothers & Sisters." Thanks to Mike for the quote.

Lisa Lackey is playing Matt's cheating wife Janice on "Heroes." I remember her as ADA Lori Munson on "NYPD Blue."

Reed Diamond was the missing social worker Eric Hayes on "Without a Trace." Diamond was Stuart on "Judging Amy," Detective Terry Crowley on "The Shield," and Detective Mike Kellerman on "Homicide: Life on the Streets."

DJ recognized Robert Michael Morris as Holly's dad on "The Class." He was Mickey on "The Comeback," the Weatherman at Robin's TV station on "How I Met Your Mother," and Jack's fan Tommy on "Will & Grace."

Dave recognized Sasha Alexander as Nick's ex-wife on "The Nine." She was Kate on "NCIS" and Pacey's older sister on "Dawson's Creek."

Highlights of the Week AheadAll times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Nov. 27-Dec. 2

"Heroes" goes six months back in time Monday at 9 p.m. on NBC. You'll be happy to know this show is totally winning me over.

I've realized that I like "Studio 60" (Monday, NBC, 10 p.m.) not in spite of all that's wrong with it but because of it. I like the way-too-inside talk (which reached a peak last week with talks of options, put pilots, half-hour pages). I like the wordy, self-important conversations (even though no one talks that way). I like it when Aaron Sorkin gets on his soapbox and pontificates. I can't help myself. This week Jordan announces that she's pregnant, which is a good thing, because they really haven't done much to hide Amanda Peet's real-life pregnancy.

Scoot over, because I'm officially on the "Friday Night Lights" (Tuesday, NBC, 8 p.m.) bandwagon. Slowly but surely the show has grown on me. And I bet you can guess why. That's right, you know I'm a total sucker for a good love triangle --especially one that involves a bad boy, even if said bad boy needs to wash his hair more often. So I love the Tim, Lyla and Jason storyline - the triangle reaches its heart-wrenching peak this week. But I also love the believable marriage between Tami and Eric, the slow courtship of Matt and Julie, and the fractured relationship between Tim and his brother. This is a show poised to blossom and thankfully NBC picked it up for a full season. Now we simply have to hope they actually air it. NBC recently announced that "Dateline" will air in that time slot beginning December 26.

I really liked "My Boys" (premiering Tuesday at 10 p.m. on TBS). Picking up where Carrie Bradshaw left off, Chicago sportswriter PJ Franklin (Jordana Spiro) is living the single life in the Windy City. Surrounded by mostly male friends (hence the title), PJ is desperately trying to figure out the tricky world of dating. The show is honest and often hilarious. Plus it already has a star-crossed couple I care about. For me the tell-tale sign is always if a network sends me multiple episodes, do I want to watch them all? And I watched all four episodes of "My Boys" that TBS sent me - in one sitting. Four stars (out of five).

This season has brought us no new breakout comedy hit. Alas "Big Day," premiering Tuesday at 9 p.m. on ABC and starring Marla Sokoloff and Josh Cooke star as a couple about to get married, isn't going to change that. Three stars.

I've gotten on a lot of bandwagons this week but, alas, "Jericho" (Wednesday, CBS, 8 p.m.) isn't one of them. I still can't like this show. But for those of you who do, the show is pulling a "Lost" this week. The fall finale is this Wednesday at 8 p.m. on CBS. It won't be back with new episodes until February.

Okay: I've honed in on the central problem with "The Nine" (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.) - a show that I like but I expected to like even more. We need a big surprise. I keep waiting to find out which one of the nine was in cahoots with the bank robbers. Or that Jeremy and Franny were already having a relationship before they were taken hostage. Something. Anything. This is the type of show that lends itself to shockers and so far we haven't really had anything (sorry, the fact that Jeremy ran from Lizzie doesn't really count). This week they relieve the murder of the security guard.

NBC kicks off its new Thursday night lineup beginning at 8 p.m. First up is "My Name is Earl" - another show whose parts I fear are more funny than its whole. This week's episode is far too all over the place and ends on kind of an odd cliff-hanger. Suffice to say when chicken excrement is a crucial plot point things, in general, might be heading in the wrong direction. Fret not, I still like the show. I just wanted to get out in front of the problem.

Ed Helms continues his absolutely stellar work as suck-up Andy on "The Office" (Thursday, NBC, 8:30 p.m.). It was nearly impossible to think that "The Office" needed more characters until Andy and Karen came along. Now it's hard to imagine the show without them. I'm particularly glad that Jim has actually started to date Karen - I didn't want him to always be hung up on someone who is completely unavailable. My only caution to "The Office" is that I literally pulled my shirt up over my eyes during some of Michael's scenes this week because I was so mortified by his behavior. It's a fine line the show walks with Michael - they have to take him to the brink of ridiculousness without making it impossible for us to believe that he would actually still have a job.

"Scrubs" returns for a sixth season Thursday at 9 p.m. It's hard to complain about an episode the features *NSync's "Bye Bye Bye" (one of my all time favorite songs). But this is a peculiar episode that doesn't quite work from its elaborate flights of fancy (involving JD and the Blue Man Group) to the far too obvious point that they are all seeing themselves in their patients (it kind of reminded me of the time Jason Priestley played an old jewelry store owner on "90210" - the special effects makeup didn't quite work). I'm thrilled the show is back and, of course, it's still one of my favorites. But I wish "Scrubs" had returned with a stronger episode.

Todd Lowe, Zach on "Gilmore Girls," guest stars on "Without a Trace" (Sunday, CBS, 10 p.m.). He brings so much to his role on "Gilmore Girls," I can't wait to see what he does here. This is a show that always brings out the best in people.

That's all for today. I'll be back next week with my picks for the ten best characters on television. And don't forget: Also coming in December, the best of everything television - the best shows, the best characters, the best moments and the quotes of the year. So send me your favorite TV moments and quotes of 2006. Have a question, seen a familiar face, want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.